POLICE BEAT

Houlton police decline charges after brief standoff

HOULTON, Maine — Local police said they will not bring charges against a man who caused a brief standoff in the community Tuesday afternoon.

Police Chief Butch Asselin said the incident began at approximately 1 p.m. when officers went to River Street to deal with a man threatening to harm himself with a firearm.

Police reportedly found a 20-year-old man inside his residence who had argued with his girlfriend. The girlfriend had left.

Asselin said the man threatened to kill himself.

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Police quickly closed off the street and cordoned off the area. Police also contacted neighbors on River and Elm streets and asked them to leave their residences or remain in an area inside their home away from the distraught man’s residence.

Police made repeated attempts to reach the man by phone, according to Asselin.

Detective Kristin Calaman eventually spoke to the man and convinced him to leave his home unarmed.

The standoff lasted for approximately 40 minutes.

Police recovered a single-shot 10-gauge firearm and a shell from the living room of the residence. Police also found a number of other firearms in the home.

No charges are pending, Asselin said Tuesday. The man was taken to Houlton Regional Hospital for an evaluation.

Officer Erica Pelletier, Lt. Daniel Pelletier, Officer Stephen Nason, Calaman and Asselin were at the scene. Assistance was provided by members of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Department and the U.S. Border Patrol.